86 sea Ray no start or spark

[Cory2236]

I recently got a 1986 sea Ray with the Mercruiser 3.0 and from what I see in really good shape for most part. I got new battery, trying to start and it cranks and never starts but it sounds like it's just not getting spark or maybe not allowing spark like a kill switch is engaged or something. I've tested the coul wire and a few distributed wires with spark tester and no spark seems to be the problem. I have put new plugs In it gapped to .035 from motorcraft and both distributed and rotor look brand new so please help, ignition has recently been replaced by previous owner recently and he mentioned the starter having an issue and that might cause it no spark but I thought starter simply just turns the flywheel correct ? I don't think it has anything to do with spark! Any help be appreciated! I also took carb off and cleaned entirely and all fuel lines and filter /pump and got some thick green sludge out of filter elbows and ends of fuel hose...... What else can you think it could be? Is there a kill switch and if so where?? It's 1986 sea Ray Seville

 

[Bt Doctur]

what type of ignition system? Is there 12V at the + side of the coil?

 

[CV16]

I would think there is a kill switch some place near where you'd sit to drive it.

 

[nola mike]

I would think there is a kill switch some place near where you'd sit to drive it.

neutral kill switch won't allow it to crank; that's not the problem

 

[salty3rd]

Run a jumper wire from the + side of battery directly to the + on the coil and try to start it. Regular jumper cables work good. If no luck, carefully dump a small amount of gas down the carb see if she fires. This should tell you if it fuel or electric issue.

 

[CV16]

neutral kill switch won't allow it to crank; that's not the problem

Mine will crank with no spark. I know this because I pull the lanyard when I do compression tests. Every boat I have owned (5) plus every boat I have worked on is this way, it'll crank until the battery is dead. So, that very well could be the problem.
I'm not talking about the neutral safety switch, lots of boats have a dead man's switch.

 

[salty3rd]

Mine will crank with no spark. I know this because I pull the lanyard when I do compression tests. Every boat I have owned (5) plus every boat I have worked on is this way, it'll crank until the battery is dead. So, that very well could be the problem.
I'm not talking about the neutral safety switch, lots of boats have a dead man's switch.

The neutral safety switch is in the throtle and wont allow the engine to start (crank) when its in gear. The lanyard is connected to a dead man switch which will stop the engine if the cord is pulled out. Two seperate things.

 

[Cory2236]

Ok the neutral safety switch must work than because unless throttle is in neutral position or if I push button under the handle and throttle up than there isn't any cranking allowed so that must be ok right? As far as ignition system I'm not sure, I will try the jumping positive of battery to positive of coil and see if that helps. Thank you guys and I'll let u know if that's the issue here very soon!!

 

[Cory2236]

I also am not thinkin there is a lanyard safety on it because I don't see anything that would resemble a device that would pull out of anywhere in event the driver flew out with it on his wrist or something.is there any other place I should look ?